These days he shares a booth with pal Vanessa Ortiz, 12, thrilled to see the “uncomforta­ble” cafeteria replaced.

Councilman Jimmy Vacca, who earmarked $250,000 needed to revamp the cafeteria, stopped by Monday, Feb. 4 to join students at a grand opening ceremony where a poster reading, “Thank you for our new cafeteria Councilman Vacca” hung from the ceiling.

“This cafeteria encourages conversati­on,” said Vacca, who also allocated funds several years ago to spruce up the school library.

He also took a moment to remind kids to “eat healthy” and back away from sugary drinks.

Jennifer Joynt, principal of X371 Urban Institute of Mathematics, was involved in designing the cafeteria’s look.

“We wanted to change the vibe of the cafeteria,” said Joynt. “It was a little too sterile before.”